A mathematician, an accountant, and a politician apply for the same position. The interviewer summons the mathematician and inquires, “What does two plus two equal?” The mathematician responds, “Four.” The interviewer inquires, “Are you certain?” The mathematician stares at the interviewer incredulously and responds, “Yes, four, exactly.” The interviewer next summons the accountant and poses the same question: “What does two plus two equal?”

The accountant states, “On average, four – give or take ten percent, but on average, four.” The interviewer then calls in the politician and asks the same question. “What does two plus two equal?” The politician rises, locks the door, closes the shade, sits next to the interviewer, and says, “What would you like it to equal?”